England bench Ellie Kildunne and make four changes for Canada rematch
Emma Sing starts at full-back in Ottawa after Canada ended England’s 41-match unbeaten run, with three other changes to the starting side.
England have named Ellie Kildunne among the replacements for their Canada rematch in Ottawa, with Emma Sing starting at full-back, BBC Sport reported on 21 October. The switch is one of four changes to the starting side after Canada’s 24-21 win in Toronto on 16 October ended England’s 41-match unbeaten run.
The defeat was England’s first in four years. Kildunne had started all nine of their matches in 2026 before this selection, according to the Guardian. She remains in the matchday squad, giving head coach John Mitchell the option to bring her on during the rematch.
Who starts for England against Canada
Helena Rowland replaces Tatyana Heard at inside centre, while Mia Venner comes in on the wing for Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. Venner will play alongside Jess Breach, who keeps her starting place. In the forwards, Sadia Kabeya starts at openside flanker and Alex Matthews moves to the bench. Moloney-MacDonald and Heard are absent from the matchday 23 named by the Guardian.
Sing is set to win her 18th England cap. Her previous start came against Italy in the Six Nations, when she played at full-back and Kildunne started on the wing. The Guardian reported that Kildunne’s previous absence from England’s starting side was in the 2025 World Cup quarter-final against Scotland, following a concussion in the preceding match.
Mitchell’s response to the Toronto defeat
Mitchell said England had lost sight of what they could control when it mattered most in Toronto. ‘This week is about getting back to who we are: hungry, accountable to each other and demanding more of ourselves than anyone outside this group ever could,’ he said. He also described the rematch as a chance to apply sustained pressure and learn from what England missed.
Kildunne made 149 metres, had two clean breaks and beat six defenders in the defeat, more than any other England player in those categories, according to BBC Sport. The Guardian reported that she also made four knock-ons as Canada limited her influence. Her move to the bench follows that mixed performance, though Mitchell did not publicly identify an individual error as the reason for the change.
Canada lead the series after the Toronto win and a 26-26 draw at Exeter in September. England are also scheduled to face the United States on 30 October, their final match before the Women’s Six Nations in April, according to the Guardian.
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Sources and context
- Canada v England: Ellie Kildunne on bench as Red Roses ring changesBBC Sport
- Red Roses drop Kildunne to bench for Canada rematch as Mitchell seeks England resetThe Guardian
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